As we wade through the aftermath of police shootings, remind us of the beauty of forgiveness. Put out the fire of anger at injustice and replace it with a burning passion to forgive and rebuild. Set it in our hearts to reach out to wrongdoers, to murderers, to people full of hate. Give us hearts to pray for them and shower them in undeserved, perfect forgiveness. Teach us inwardly that forgiveness is the only way to move forward that will produce anything good.
Be moved to stir up forgiveness in our hearts. Teach us how to forgive one another by moving us to forgive one another daily. Now, please, Father! Remind us of the example of Jesus, who forgives every horrible injustice against him and against you. Help us to strive to be ridiculously forgiving, even to the point of actual ridicule.
Lovingly convict our hardened hearts to hold captive any thought or emotion that encourages us to retaliate. Give us discernment so we would know when we are guilty of such sin. Do not let us carry on in our destructive ways, whether in act, thought, or law-making. Break our hearts for the people involved and not the cause. Break our hearts for the families, the fatherless children, the shattered widows, the inconsolable coworkers and friends. In that brokenness, solidify a foundation of love and hope. Let there be a wave of optimism and idealism among the people of this country. May there be an outpouring of love and kindness instead of the easier but more destructive inclination to act out in anger.
By the power of the cross, by the power that raised Christ from the dead, change the hearts of this nation. Raise up godly leaders who will point to you and who will refuse to engage in violence. Raise up peacemakers and peacekeepers whose passion and integrity are contagious! Father, have mercy on us. We have hated too long that we have forgotten what it means to love. Help us. Help us, please.
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